1958-03-29 — Page 6

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THE CHINA MAIL, SATURDAY, MARCH 29, 1958,

Cairo's under-cover war moves suddenly to its climax

and a girl gives the British counter-spy a vital clue

THE ONE BLUNDER THAT BETRAYED

ROMMEL'S SPY

The great battle for Africa was about to begin... and in Calro a German spy's radio made contact with its liston- ing post. He had to be found -and found quickly.

• Thon camo a clue which caused the British security forcon to close in round a houseboat on the Nilo. "Wa must got these mon" the major told his troops. "And wo must got them alivo."

T

T was a hot summer's morning in late July 1942. A

long, thin, youngish man finished the last strokes of his before-breakfast swim and climbed up the pool steps to the the Gezira Club in terrace of Cairo.

As he fumbled around for his spec- tacles, he heard the voice of his wife calling him.

Hobby-herry up, Hobby! Your break- fus is here. And there's someone come to see you!"

He waved his hand obediently, draped a towel over his shoulders, and weat towards them. At the table was n dark, striking young woman, easily ne tall as her husband, and beside her a man, smaller and chubbier, in terinis shorts and shirt. The chubby man wus Major Alfred Sansom of Field Security,

THE STRATEGY

WATCHED Robby exchange greetings wi

ibem, and, as they bent their heads to. I thought: "Who gether and began to talk, would ever guess that there, ai one table, are three of the shrewdest British counter- espionage agents in the Middle East? They look as if they're planning a jumble sale. I wonder what they're really up to?"

THE GENERALS AND THEIR 'SHADOW

I did. not know it then, but tunately, thousands of Hussclus bar tonight, the British are look- Ing for someone. Could it be what they were planning that in Egypt.)

bun?" morning was their part in the strategy that, very coon now, would trap John Eppler, German spy

the

For the spy in our midst (they did not even know his name at that moment) had made the fundamental error that might well lead him before a Arlag squad.

"That's right," said Monkaster. "Let's get drunk."

In the next few hours they succeeded in getting very drunk, hilariously drunk, playfully drunk, argumentatively drunks.

Once Eppler brought a revolver out of à drawer and brandished R at Yvetio. "You'd never betray us, would you, cheriet I'd have to `use this if you did.”

"Silly boy, replied Yvettc. "Who could I betray you to... your mother?"

SHE

PERFUME

HE stroked his hair soothing- ly. Sticking his hands in hir pockets Eppler suddenly brought out sheal of relea "Here, this is om me to you. Stay with me, and there'll be plenty more.", He dug into me

of the crates and brought out a bottle of perfume. He handed

it to her. "For you too, baby. I like dames to smell nice."

'A spy and bis 'voice'

Jaka Epple Arights

And be

taken Mini In Cal

·CAT AND MOUSE PART 4-

by LEONARD MOSLEY

Ile lolled back upon the divan. Monkaster was

But asleep. Eppler remained awake vitentive right through until office of Major Sansom, dawn. And at dawn he was Security still alert enough to accompany Middle East, and once more it German spy in Cairo," he said.

her was the Army paymaster.

Half an hour later the tele- the contact 2100 from the optation Sansom called-a-battle

and phone rang once more in the Jewish agency.

Fielt

her to the door and see

shore....

In the monitoring bulletin from G.H.Q. that morning there was a paragraph about the secret Cairo transmitting station: "On the air, but only inter mittently for short Intervals. Obviously listening station, aga Unlikely prepared to receive. Rubstantial message was passed overy"

In the Intelligence branches n G.H.Q., that made good breakfast reading, Perhaps they still had time..........

chlet A G.H.Q., "I hear you are looking for

"Hallo, major. A chap's Just brought in somo more of those notes you're looking for."

Sansom sat up."Oh, he has, has he?

What sort of a bloke Is it this time-another waiter?"

"Not quite," said the pay- master, "A grocer."

"A wheit"

·

IN FIVERS

"Oh, are we?" replied the Intelligence man, casually.

"I also hear you are looking for someone who has been

100 spending

much English money in Cairo," went on the Jeurish Agency man.

"You hear a lot."

conference of hla mpen.

"I locks," he said, "as if we have tracked down the German spy we've been searching for at last. We have him encircled,"

cven

He paused, and then he went on: "But getting him isn't the main object of this operation, What we have to do is not only capture capture, our spy-but him alive. He hes an assistant both of in the houseboat, and them may have suicide pilla or There WRE

pause that suleide plans. WE MUST SEE was almost audibly complacent. THAT THEY DON'T MANAGE "Yes, We have our sources. TO KILL EITHER THEM- But tell me, brigadier, what BELVES OR EACH OTHER. It would you say if I told you that is essential that we take them, a young lady was with me at before they can destroy them- the moment--and that she is seler, their radio set, or their holding in her hand £20 in documenta. So,

if they GROCER "A

Greek sterling which a young man gave attack us, even if they try to grocer," repeated the pay- to her two hours ago? What fight it out, no shooting at all it We need these For two things were happen- master. "He has a shop where would you say if I told you that you can help it, ing that would do much, in the he sells stores and vegetables in this young man has a rendezvous spies alive." next few hours, not only to Zamalek. Most of his customers with a radio set at midnight to- Five minutes later John thwart Eppler but also to kafe live on the Nile houssboats. And night-but that the young lady is guard the precarious security of yesterday a chap came in, bought willing to lead you to him now? Eppler snapped awake in his bunk on the houseboat as the The Eighth Army in those all-

a load of things from him, and

crash of a rifle butt thudded on Important

the outer door. He ran over to before The pad in English money. Now Battle of Alamein.

ho's come to cash it in."

Monkaster and shock nwake. In the paymaster's office

Sansom began to button up opposite the Kair el Nil in bush-shirt. "You just hold burracks that morning it was on to him until i get over. dull and hot and irritating. The Meantime....d'you think he walling to would know his customer again queue of civilians

and where he lives?"

As, indeed, they had.

مرمة

Major Alfred Sansom (right) was not only a spy-hunter. His dhiles Included ilere he 19 with General the safeguarding of V.I.P.s and generals. Dempsey, Brigadier. Hayman-Joyce, and Field-Marshal Montgomery,

He handed her the glass, but he was hardly looking at her, He seemed to be listening, but change the night's takings from it wasn't to the gramophone the troops into Egyptian money Yvette from sterling looked more than that he was listening.

ordinarily furtive, squalld, and looked round; in spite of the

unsavoury. The sergeant looked voices no one else was there. thoms over, groaned, and went to But all over the place wero work, hardly noticing one cilent boxes of atores-crates of food, from the next. battles of drink. What wera

It only Eppier had used English money at the Kit Kat he might have been nabbed by Bansom snoter, But he didn't. Hekmat Fathmy paid his bills in Egyptian notes.

From now on every place where

one of the notes had been passed was being quietly covered by security forces. All [Late!»

and clubs had been asked to report anyone offer- Ing payment in sterling.

The hunt was on. And Middle East Security realised that there was an urgent need to find their quarry. The monitoring service at G.H.Q., Middle East, had sent out a bulletin to Intelligence That morning:-

Said the contact man: "Why don't you go to the houseboat Then come here and find out? and report."

"I'll do that," replied Yveite, "Shalom, Moishe."

"Shalom, Yvette. And took after yourself,"

these Intended for a slege, or

a journey?

Suddenly, however, his atten- tion was caught. A hand cane

across the counter and deposited pile of notes in front of him.

make some change." "Please," said a volce. "I ke

half-hour For the next Yvette sipped her drink and It was just before midtugit made conversation, while John to when the decrepit taxi deposited Eppler absent-mindedly listened Yvette on the Nile bank in' and

continually nodded. He Zamalek, a few hundred yards filled his own glar

cred drank away from Eppier's houseboat. from

regular She picked her way carefully intervals, he went to the gramo- through the blackout until she phone and changed the record, reached the gangplank, and

it;

and,

at

Abwehr-the German The secret service hnd briefed hint well for hts mission in Cairo; they had given him the names and addresses of scores of con- facts; he spoke perfect English and Arable and could get around freely and he liad been financed for his mission with

£80,000 in British sterling.

there she paused before going "Isn't it a little late for 11?"

Yvette. But what the Abwehr

A chink of light show asked The secret radio stationed from the saloon and she no told Eppler was thot British operating from Cairo was on the thought she could hear the clink

He grmed. "Never too late notes, though shops, restaurants ir again last night, still trans- of glasses and

he said, and the sound of for good jazz," and hotels would

willingly mitting in code. This time voices

turned up the volume. them, could accept

not be

sconc seems to have heard changed into Egyptian currency them. For the rst ihne alace through the banks. They had this station was discovered they to be taken to the Army Pay- got a reply,

also in code. master's office.

Location of replying station: probably Greeco."

CHECKED

-had

aboard.

But when, finally, whe Pressed the beti a thick ourialn

of silence dropped over the whole boat. She rang arabu. No reply.

IN GERMAN

finished

THEN, suddenly, as one record The deduction from that was

Yvette heard A "Husseini Let me in!" she creaking noise, Easy to make. The German spy.

Looking into shouted, "It la Yvette. whoever he was, wherever he

I am the hall through the open door As the notes started to filter was, had information to send, stand me with you. Why you she was astonished

In from night clubs and And now the listening post up?" shops, hotels and brothels, the side enemy-held territory was paymaster began to look at their ready to receive it, numbers. Finally, noting their sequences, he called Field Security,

Who was this person

was

all

In a war area where, at any moment now, the great battle for Africa might begin, who vial news a mysterious could guess what

much spy possessed? It British money to throw important to calch him before

A member around?

the he could send it. British Forces who had Emuggled It in?

had who

do

of

much more sinister ons took its place.

to see the top of the gramophone lifting. At once Eppler was on his fent From Inside the hogt. there and into the hall, closing the was a quiet rumble of volces, deer behind him.. and then the sound of footsteps and doors opening.

Suddenly

Once more she heard voices, the rumophone began to play and she could identify who was dance tune, and as, it did to speaking. It was Monkaster, the door opened.

Expler's comrade who posed t an American (but in fael was lila radio operator),

"Quick! Come insidel"

All over Cairo, under Major Sansom's direction, the counter But when the, sequence of espionage agents moved into numbers on the notes was position to pinpoint and capture checked with the Bank of one dangerous man; England, that oxpienation went out of the window and a At I o'clock that evening, in drink, but he was grinning at 2400 HOURS TOMORROW."",

the Dug Out bar of the Metro- her, politan Hotel, a girl in evening dress slipped away from a group most of the notes capro of British officers and war-cor- For not from home but from drafts respondents with whom she was known to have been deposited drinking. it be back ne soon in Switzerland, Portugal, Spain, as I've powdered the nose," she and South America. And others, said, giving encli word £5 notes mostly, wero forgeries Belicious French intonation. which had, It seemed certain,

A hand reached out and "I tell you," Monkaster was pulled her in, and slammed the saying, "all they will answer is: door behind her, Yvette "Condor CALL FUNK AUSCH- looked at Eppler. His chin was WEICHSTELLE 2400 HOURS stubbled as if he had not shaven TOMORROW. CONDOR MAIN- all day. He smelled heavily of TAIN RADIO SILENCE UNTIL

A

*So it's you!"

VOICES

"I can't understand it," salú Eppler,

"Here we have vital news-and they tell us to walt until tomorrow."

They began to talk in lower whispers after that, and then they come back into the room. All Eppler looked Yvette straight in

the face and,-in German, said:

"How would you like me to icke your little white neck and wring the head off it?"

bcen Bade In Germony- She did not go to the indies YES. Me, Yvette,

dressed upand ` no certainly in Occupied Europe. room, however, but to a telt Husein to take her out! That could mean only one thing. shone booth. There velle, the you do this to me?" This was the, pay-roll of girl who claimed to be a French

German agent,

dancer from Belrut but was something very different, dialled

civilian and xnilitary, werd him she spoke in Hobrow, mobilised to track this JustL

Why

"Sorry," He pushed her en

161

Now a the Middle East the number of a contact man in 10 a divan and Bopped beside Yvelle said afterwards; counter - espionage services, the Jewish Agency in Calro. To bottle of whisky."I had work face, to see if I could understand her and poured a drinks from n could tell he was saying it to my to do. Couldn't get away. You German, but I managed to down. Some of those who had "I had a date for 10 o'clock shouldn't have come out here.", remain expressionless. All I said taken money from him described - with the Young Egyptian

was: Are you swearing at me, him 08 Belttah Houtenant Hussain, Gäufer," she mid. "10

big boy? At which he looked

numed John. Others and ise, has not come. I do not think it This 'sories is adapted from at Monkaster, burst into rueful was on Earplan attendi wamesh' le because be dooen't like zoo. "The Cut and the Attee to laughter, and reached for the Hussein. (Thera, wore, unfar- Fran what I have heard in the be published by Arthur Barker, whisky bottle;"

The sergeant gazed at the pile and rasped. lle said: "where d'yan gel theso from?"

-

And that was the moment when the fate of John Eppler, the German spy, look its downward turn.

master.

him

There was a pregnant pause,

**[ Then the brigatier said: would say, old boy, that the British Army, not to mention the British Government, would be "Quick," he said. "It's a raid. most grateful to the young lady. Remember our pact. Come on, Most grateful indeed. Where do now, heads or tails?" I get hold of her?"

As the outside door. began to "She will be waiting outside groen and ive, he stood there your apartment in 20 minutes," before his radio operator and

calmly spun a coin. said the contact man.

And so, that morning in mid- Hends," said Monkastor. July in Cairo, by one of those

Eppler watched the coin land "I think so," said the pay lucky chances which apy and picked it up. "Talls," he

a counter- "Saya he delivered the always fears and order himself was glad to do Inteiligence service always hopes said. "You lose." And then he so, considering how big it was." for,

added, significantly: "And don't Awo fingers point to let the down." wards the German agent for "What d'you whom the whole of the brains of Britain in the Middle East were looking.

Sold Sanson: mean by that?"

"Major, do you realise how this little Grosk much money grocs has brought in for me to change?" anked the pay- - master.

ENCIRCLED

Monkaster looked crim, but went into the bathroom und took a razor blade and slipped It into the lining of his jacket.

"I won't," he said.

Even as he spoke. the door burst in and the Field Security man, Sansom in the lead, poured

"You tell me," said Sansom. TIE Field Security unit was through lands up and come The thin saffron-face tule

mobilised by Major Sansom quietly" he ordered. men in front of the counter Three hundred

pounds, and moved into position, Along lips and looked major. Three hundred pounds, the banks of the Nile for a hand and it was seen that there For answer, Eppler raised his licked his frightened. "Plonso? It· Lan't all try £6 notes,"

hundred yards each side of the was something dark and round you I am

Eppier houseboat men all right? I assuro

with in it. As bo polsed to throw, Sansom buckled on very respectable. My name is

his rifles, revolvers, and machine one of the sergeants in the back George Androulidahls. I am a revolver, "Guard him with your guns fanned out,

A boat patrol shouted: Creek."

life. I'm on my way over."

took up positions on the river, "Easy, chum," said

The same morning, the tele- And just before sergeant didn't Boy we phone rang in the apartment of the houseboat was put into throwing a grenade?' wouldn't change it. But first one of the directors of Military

the

well, came on in and see the Intelligence attached to G.H.Q. Houtenant."

On the other end of the fine was

MINTO T

جد

the raid upon "Look outl Duck! Hea

NEXT WEEK: The spies' death pact

"Beloved, before we get married I'd like to discuss my prospects with you--how muc

allow me to start with?

can you